Kwangil Koh Lecture on Mathematics in Our Time
Thursday, April 16, 2026, 5:30-6:30 (Reception at 5pm)
SAS Hall 2203
Directions
"Parking Cars, Rolling Balls and Falling Cats: The Concept of Holonomy"
Robert L. Bryant
Phillip Griffiths Distinguished Professor of Mathematics, Duke University
This year’s distinguished speaker is Robert L. Bryant, renowned mathematician and former president of the American Mathematical Society. Bryant is celebrated for his groundbreaking work in differential geometry and its applications across science and technology.
His presentation, “Parking Cars, Rolling Balls and Falling Cats: The Concept of Holonomy,” will explore how studying motion with constraints that occur in everyday life leads to a deeper understanding of the relationship between curvature and geometry.
This is a unique opportunity to hear from one of the leading voices in modern mathematics.
Reserve your seat by registering today. Registration helps us keep you informed about any event updates and ensures we have accurate attendance data for planning purposes.
About the Kwangil Koh Lecture Series
The Koh Lecture Series was established through the generous philanthropy of family and colleagues in honor of Kwangil Koh, with the goal of communicating the importance of mathematics and its impact on science, technology and society. Their vision and support make this lecture possible.
To help support this lecture, please visit the Kwangil Koh Fund for Mathematics Endowment.
Join Us
There will be a reception before the lecture. Free parking is available after 5 p.m. in the Boney Drive Lot and the Coliseum Deck.
Please contact us at sciences-advancement@ncsu.edu if you have questions.
Previous Kwangil Koh Lectures
- Richard Schwartz, Brown University, “The Optimal Paper Moebius Band.” April 1, 2025
- Robert Ghrist, University of Pennsylvania, “Information Dynamics on Social Networks.” January 24, 2024
- Amie Wilkinson, University of Chicago, “Illuminating a Mathematical Landscape.” April 2, 2019
- Andrew Belmonte, Pennsylvania State University, “Games, Decisions, Evolution, and Chance.” April 19, 2018
- Ingrid Daubechies, Duke University, “Mathematics Helping Art Historians and Art Conservators.” September 27, 2016
- Tadashi Tokieda, “A World from a Sheet of Paper.” April 14, 2016
- Frank Morgan, Williams College, “Soap Bubbles and Mathematics.” April 14, 2015
- Iain Couzin, Princeton University, “From Democratic Consensus to Cannibalistic Hordes: The Principles of Collective Behavior.” April 14, 2014
- Martin Golubitsky, Ohio State University, “Patterns, Patterns Everywhere.” April 16, 2013
- Donald Saari, University of California, Irvine, “Mathematics and the Mystery of Dark Matter.” April 16, 2012